Simpsons Creator Matt Groening Urges Americans to ‘Delete Fox News’ in Comic-Con Appearance
SAN DIEGO — Matt Groening, the legendary animator and creator of iconic shows The Simpsons and Futurama, made a striking public statement at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, July 26. In a move that has quickly generated buzz, Groening advised his fellow Americans to “delete Fox News” from their televisions, framing the action as a way to liberate a generation.
The public plea is the latest chapter in a long-running and often comical rivalry between Groening’s work and the news network.
Groening’s ‘Prediction’ and the Call to Action
Speaking to a packed audience, Groening touched on the famous instances where The Simpsons seemed to predict major real-world events, including Donald Trump’s presidency. When giving his own outlook on the future of the United States, Groening offered a serious, yet humorous, suggestion for a more positive outcome.
He stated that children across the country would eventually “liberate Republican parents from the cult of MAGA.” To help this prediction become a reality, Groening provided a step-by-step guide, advising people to: “Grab the TV remote, go to menu, go to controls, vertical controls, look for channel list and delete Fox News.”
The term MAGA (Make America Great Again) is the well-known slogan used by supporters of President Donald Trump and has become synonymous with the right wing of the Republican Party. Groening’s comments position the removal of the network as a direct act against a specific political ideology.
The Historical Feud: The Simpsons vs. Fox News
Groening’s public comments are not the first time his work has taken aim at the Fox News network. The relationship between the two has been tense and playful, a dynamic born from the fact that The Simpsons originally aired on the Fox network for many years before its acquisition by Disney.
The show has a history of directly and satirically criticizing the network:
- In the 2010 episode “The Fool Monty,” a helicopter appeared with the biting slogan: “Fox News: Not Racist, But #1 With Racists.”
- After political commentator Bill O’Reilly, then of Fox News, publicly criticized the joke, the following episode aired another gag. This time, the helicopter displayed the slogan: “Fox News. Unsuitable For Viewers Under 75,” a direct jab at the network’s perceived demographic.
The network, which is largely controlled by Rupert Murdoch’s family, has long been known for its talk shows that push right-wing talking points. It has been a frequent target of criticism from liberals and political satirists.
Groening’s latest advice adds a new, direct dimension to this long-running public feud, transforming satire into a direct call to action. His words at Comic-Con have since been widely shared across social media, ensuring the conversation about media bias and political influence continues to be a central part of the national discourse.